UK Plans to Strip Former Prince Andrew of Last Military Honor Amid Epstein Scandal

The British government is moving to strip Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, of his last honorary military title, vice-admiral, following King Charles III's decision to remove all his remaining royal titles and patronages. Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that the government is acting under the King's guidance to finalize the removal, marking the end of Andrew's honorary military associations which began when he surrendered other titles in 2022 amid the Epstein scandal. Andrew's military service spanned over 22 years, including active duty as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, for which he earned the South Atlantic Medal; however, his military medals will remain unaffected by this decision. King Charles's actions reflect a strong move to distance the monarchy from Andrew due to his controversial links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a decision broadly supported by the British public. Removal of Andrew's titles was accompanied by Buckingham Palace's public expression of sympathy for victims of abuse, signaling an extraordinary rebuke from the royal family. The government's removal of Andrew's final military honor completes his fall from royal grace and public standing within the monarchy.